A pair of two-run home runs were essentially the difference in a 5-1 Syracuse loss to Norfolk. However, starter Mitch Atkins also gave up eight other hits and was charged with all five Tides runs over his five innings pitched. Offensively, the clutch hit escaped the Chiefs as they went 1-for-10 with RISP and stranded 10 men for the game. Carlos Rivero and Eury Perez both singled twice to lead the hit column for Syracuse. Roster moves: LHP John Lannan recalled to Washington.

Trevor Holder earned his first AA win with seven scoreless innings as Harrisburg ended its seven-game losing streak with a 5-0 win versus New Britain. Holder allowed just three hits and struck out three, getting 10 ground-ball outs total. Erik Davis and Pat McCoy each laid a goose egg to complete the shutout. Justin Bloxom and Sean Nicol both went 2-for-4 and combined on a pair of 5-C-3 double plays. Brian Goodwin’s first AA hit was a two-run double as part of a three-run rally in the 4th.

It was a combined shutout in Woodbridge, too, and a near no-no, as the Pelicans finally broke through with a one-out single in the 9th in a 9-0 loss to Potomac. Michael Taylor continues to hit like somebody stole his lunch money — 5-5 with a double and a home run, his third of the year and third of the week. The P-Nats pounded out 15 hits total as they reclaimed first place in the Carolina League North division with their 15th win of the second half.

J.R. Higley’s RBI single in the bottom of the 10th gave Hagerstown a walkoff win over Augusta and ended a five-game losing streak for the Suns. Starter Brian Rauh pitched five and 2/3rds innings in his Low-A debut, giving up three runs on five hits with no walks and four strikeouts. Christian Meza couldn’t hold the lead as Augusta tied the game at 3-3 and went ahead with another run off the southpaw in the 7th. Richie Mirowski got the win with three no-hit innings of relief. Higley’s single masked an otherwise frustrating night on offense, as the Suns left on 10 runners and outhit the GreenJackets 13-6.

Ivan Pineyro lost his SS-A debut as Batavia scored three runs early and two runs late and held on for a 6-4 win over Auburn. The 20-y.o. Dominican allowed four runs on nine hits over five innings, but walked none and struck out four. Wander Ramos, Carlos Lopez, and Angel Montilla combined for six of the nine Doubledays hits, including three doubles.

The G-Astros opened up a 3-0 lead early and held off the G-Nats for a 4-3 win. Starter Gilberto Mendez gave up all four runs on 10 hits, including a home run. Three relievers combined for five innings of shutout relief, with just three hits allowed. Wilmer Difo and Jean-Carlos Valdez both went 2-for-5 while Anthony Rendon singled and drove in a run, but also committed an error.

DSL NATIONALS — GNR
As of 1:22 a.m., the D-Nats/D-Cubs2 boxscore was still blank as this went to virtual press.

Its certainly possible, but this is kinda how last year went for Taylor as well showed flashes of hitting talent while largely struggling then he “figured it out”.

With Taylor its really important to remember just how young for the level he is too as last year when they were both on Hagerstown he roomed with Harper because they were by far the youngest 2 players. In fact he is four months young than Goodwin.

It was strange to look see the Syracuse result and then have to stop myself from instinctively scrolling down to see if it was Lannan who took the loss. I suppose he’ll be back in central New York later today.

The return of Nate Karns (a first round sleeper in the 12th round) and Lucas Giolito have seen to that. Its the left-handed contingent that’s the problem. Robbie Ray is floundering this season, as is Rosenbaum to a lesser extent. Purke and Solis are out with injuries and McGreary doesn’t look like he’s back yet nor does Josh Smoker. What was pretty solid depth is now not looking so good?

Don’t sleep on Nicholas Lee and Blake Monar on Auburn for solid LHSP. I’ve seen both pitch this year. Lee, while shorter than your typical pitcher, throws high 80s while Monar topped at 92 last night. IMO Monar has the better offspeed with the devasting curveball he is known for, but Lee is also a good swing and miss pitcher with a 4:1 K:BB ratio.